The hearing in the defamation case brought by Former Union Minister MJ Akbar against journalist Priya Ramani in connection with sexual harassment allegations made by her is currently underway at the Court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate..Ramani had pleaded not guilty in the case initiated by MJ Akbar back in October 2018..MJ Akbar approached the Patiala House Court under Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code, terming the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him as “false, frivolous, unjustifiable and scandalous”..Senior Advocate Rebecca John is representing Priya Ramani. Senior Advocate Geeta Luthra and Advocate Sandeep Kapur (Senior Partner, Karanjawala & Co) are appearing for MJ Akbar..Read an account of the first round of cross-examination of MJ Akbar on May 4 here, the second round on May 20 here. and the third round on July 6 here..Read an account of the first round of examination of witnesses produced on behalf of Akbar here..Live updates of today’s hearing follow. .Court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate assembles to hear MJ Akbar’s defamation case against Priya Ramani. MJ Akbar’s witness Tapan Chaki to depose today.I am a corporate communications consultant based in Kolkata, have known Akbar for over 30 years, Tapan Chaki begins his statement. I used to contribute to The Statesman and The Junior Statesman, Chaki.I used to contribute to Onlooker. I used to write for Sunday and then a weekly sports column for The Telegraph, Chaki.I have the highest regard for Mr Akbar, both as a man and a journalist..When he launched The Asian Age, I took the franchise of the paper in Mumbai and was also the publisher of The Asian Age in all its three editions – Bombay, Delhi and London, Chaki.He (MJ Akbar) was highly regarded for his writing skills, administrative skills and as a person, he would get along with friends and colleagues, Chaki.He (MJ Akbar) was extremely exacting, demanding when it came to copy, schedules and he had an uncanny sense of what constitute news, Chaki.I was extremely shocked and shattered on reading the tweets by Priya Ramani, Chaki.I have known Mr Akbar all these years and there was never any occasion where anybody ever even mentioned anything remotely resembling such allegations, Chaki.Mr Akbar had an impeccable reputation.These tweets and publications (by Priya Ramani) have caused enormous damage to his reputation, Chaki.I received phone calls and had direct conversations with friends and acquaintances.. they were as surprised and shocked and said that it was quite unbelievable, Chaki.The tweets and publication damaged his reputation immensely amongst members of the public. In my estimation it affected his reputation gravely and adversely, Chaki concludes..Priya Ramani’s counsel Senior Advocate Rebecca John to cross examine Chaki now..To the best of my recollection, I remained the publisher of The Asian Age from 1982 for about seven years, Chaki responds to John’s query on his tenure with The Asian Age. I have never met Ms Priya Ramani, Chaki further responds to a question.John: Have you interacted with Harender Baweja, Ghazala Wahab, Kadambari Wade, Prerna Singh Bindra, Ruth David, Pallavi Gogoi, Suparna Sharma, Swati Gautam, Majilie De Puy Kamp and Tushita Patel? Chaki: I have had no such occasion. I can’t confirm if they worked for Asian Age.I did not read any tweet or article that was published by other women alleging sexual misconduct on part of Mr Akbar. However I was informed of the same, Chaki further responds to a query.My friends and associates who spoke to me about Ms Raman’s tweets and publication did not speak to me about the tweets/publication of other women, Chaki.It is correct that I did not associated with India Today when Mr Akbar was its Editor, Chaki.It is correct that I had made a statement before this Court on January 11, 2019, Chaki. John argues that the two statements have contradictions. Court records that Chaki has contradicted his earlier statements in which Chaki states that the same words were not used.It is wrong to suggest that I had heard of several instances of sexual misconduct by Mr Akbar while I was working with Mr Akbar in Asian Age. It is wrong to suggest that I have given false evidence with respect to the character and reputation of Mr Akbar, Chaki.It is wrong to suggest that the tweets and publications did not come as a shock to me. It is incorrect to suggest that my friends and acquaintances were not surprised and shocked, Chaki.It is incorrect to suggest that my friends and acquaintances did not say that the allegations were quite unbelievable, Chaki.It is incorrect to suggest that I have given evidence in this case at the instance of Mr Akbar to fulfil the legal requirement. It is incorrect to suggest that I deposed only because I have a close professional relationship with Mr Akbar, Chaki.It is incorrect to suggest that I am deliberately feigning ignorance about reading the tweets and articles of multiple other women against Mr Akbar. It is incorrect to suggest that I am tutored witness, Chaki concludes..Witness Sunil Gujral to depose before Court now..I am a businessman. I moved to Calcutta in 1980 to establish my business and there I met Mr Akbar who was my neighbour, Gujral begins. Our wives and children, who were of the same age, started interacting with each other and slowly we became good family friends, Gujral.In early 1990s, I moved back to Delhi and in 2010 when Mr Akbar was starting Sunday Guardian, he asked me to assist him in the administrative side of the business of publishing, Gujral.I was the printer publisher of The Sunday Guardian for around three years, Gujral.I found Mr Akbar a perfect gentleman holding a good reputation in society and in the forum of journalism as an author, Gujral. When I met him, he was the editor of Sunday Magazine, Gujral.In my capacity as a neighbour, colleague and friend, I had never heard anything negative about him. I found him a very hardworking man, keeping long working hours and travelling for political stories, Gujral.His reputation in the society was impeccable, Gujral. I have seen and read the tweets and the publication by Ms Priya Ramani, Gujral.It was embarrassing for me and it tarnished the image of Mr Akbar, Gujral.It tarnished the image of Mr Akbar in my eyes and in the eyes of other people. A lot of people who are our friends, acquaintances and business associates started contacting me to understand and to know what was happening as it came as a surprise to most, Gujral..Priya Ramani’s counsel Senior Advocate Rebecca John to cross examine Sunil Gujral now.In Calcutta I know Mr Akbar in my personal capacity. My professional relationship with Mr Akbar started only in 2010, Gujral responds to a question to this effect.It is correct that Mr Akbar has property in Maharani Bagh which is close to my house, Gujral. I do not remember whether I extended a personal loan to Mr Akbar around 2016, Gujral.John: In his affidavit filed before Rajya Sabha election with Election Commission, he had declared that a loan of Rs 5 lakh from you. Gujral: I do not remember.Counsel for MJ Akbar, Senior Advocate objects to the question. Says content of a document cannot be put to the witness, the document pertained to another person and the document has not been executed by the witness himself. Judge: Objection to be decided at the time of the judgement.I have never had any interaction with Harender Baweja, Ghazala Wahab, Prerna Singh Bindra, Kadambari Wade etc, Gujral.I did not read any tweet or publication by the above named women about the allegations of sexual misconduct relating to Mr Akbar, Gujral.In my interaction with my friends, acquaintances and business associates, the allegations by other women were not brought to my knowledge, Gujral.It is incorrect to suggest that I am aware of several instances/allegations of sexual misconduct by Mr Akbar made by other women journalist but I have deliberately concealed the same, Gujral.It is incorrect to suggest that I was well aware of Mr Akbar’s reputation qua some of his female colleagues but I have deliberately and falsely stated that he had an impeccable reputation, Gujral.It is wrong to suggest that I have come to depose for Mr Akbar only because of my long standing personal, professional and financial relationship with him, Gujral.It is incorrect to suggest that I was well aware of Mr Akbar’s reputation qua some of his female colleagues but I have deliberately and falsely stated that he had an impeccable reputation, Gujral.It is wrong to suggest that I have come to depose for Mr Akbar only because of my long standing personal, professional and financial relationship with him, Gujral.It is incorrect to suggest that I am a false and tutored witness to fulfil the legal requirements, Gujral.Cross examination concludes. .Proceeding adjourned for the day. Matter to be taken up next on August 2..Bar & Bench is available on WhatsApp. For real-time updates on stories, Click here to subscribe to our WhatsApp.
The hearing in the defamation case brought by Former Union Minister MJ Akbar against journalist Priya Ramani in connection with sexual harassment allegations made by her is currently underway at the Court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate..Ramani had pleaded not guilty in the case initiated by MJ Akbar back in October 2018..MJ Akbar approached the Patiala House Court under Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code, terming the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him as “false, frivolous, unjustifiable and scandalous”..Senior Advocate Rebecca John is representing Priya Ramani. Senior Advocate Geeta Luthra and Advocate Sandeep Kapur (Senior Partner, Karanjawala & Co) are appearing for MJ Akbar..Read an account of the first round of cross-examination of MJ Akbar on May 4 here, the second round on May 20 here. and the third round on July 6 here..Read an account of the first round of examination of witnesses produced on behalf of Akbar here..Live updates of today’s hearing follow. .Court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate assembles to hear MJ Akbar’s defamation case against Priya Ramani. MJ Akbar’s witness Tapan Chaki to depose today.I am a corporate communications consultant based in Kolkata, have known Akbar for over 30 years, Tapan Chaki begins his statement. I used to contribute to The Statesman and The Junior Statesman, Chaki.I used to contribute to Onlooker. I used to write for Sunday and then a weekly sports column for The Telegraph, Chaki.I have the highest regard for Mr Akbar, both as a man and a journalist..When he launched The Asian Age, I took the franchise of the paper in Mumbai and was also the publisher of The Asian Age in all its three editions – Bombay, Delhi and London, Chaki.He (MJ Akbar) was highly regarded for his writing skills, administrative skills and as a person, he would get along with friends and colleagues, Chaki.He (MJ Akbar) was extremely exacting, demanding when it came to copy, schedules and he had an uncanny sense of what constitute news, Chaki.I was extremely shocked and shattered on reading the tweets by Priya Ramani, Chaki.I have known Mr Akbar all these years and there was never any occasion where anybody ever even mentioned anything remotely resembling such allegations, Chaki.Mr Akbar had an impeccable reputation.These tweets and publications (by Priya Ramani) have caused enormous damage to his reputation, Chaki.I received phone calls and had direct conversations with friends and acquaintances.. they were as surprised and shocked and said that it was quite unbelievable, Chaki.The tweets and publication damaged his reputation immensely amongst members of the public. In my estimation it affected his reputation gravely and adversely, Chaki concludes..Priya Ramani’s counsel Senior Advocate Rebecca John to cross examine Chaki now..To the best of my recollection, I remained the publisher of The Asian Age from 1982 for about seven years, Chaki responds to John’s query on his tenure with The Asian Age. I have never met Ms Priya Ramani, Chaki further responds to a question.John: Have you interacted with Harender Baweja, Ghazala Wahab, Kadambari Wade, Prerna Singh Bindra, Ruth David, Pallavi Gogoi, Suparna Sharma, Swati Gautam, Majilie De Puy Kamp and Tushita Patel? Chaki: I have had no such occasion. I can’t confirm if they worked for Asian Age.I did not read any tweet or article that was published by other women alleging sexual misconduct on part of Mr Akbar. However I was informed of the same, Chaki further responds to a query.My friends and associates who spoke to me about Ms Raman’s tweets and publication did not speak to me about the tweets/publication of other women, Chaki.It is correct that I did not associated with India Today when Mr Akbar was its Editor, Chaki.It is correct that I had made a statement before this Court on January 11, 2019, Chaki. John argues that the two statements have contradictions. Court records that Chaki has contradicted his earlier statements in which Chaki states that the same words were not used.It is wrong to suggest that I had heard of several instances of sexual misconduct by Mr Akbar while I was working with Mr Akbar in Asian Age. It is wrong to suggest that I have given false evidence with respect to the character and reputation of Mr Akbar, Chaki.It is wrong to suggest that the tweets and publications did not come as a shock to me. It is incorrect to suggest that my friends and acquaintances were not surprised and shocked, Chaki.It is incorrect to suggest that my friends and acquaintances did not say that the allegations were quite unbelievable, Chaki.It is incorrect to suggest that I have given evidence in this case at the instance of Mr Akbar to fulfil the legal requirement. It is incorrect to suggest that I deposed only because I have a close professional relationship with Mr Akbar, Chaki.It is incorrect to suggest that I am deliberately feigning ignorance about reading the tweets and articles of multiple other women against Mr Akbar. It is incorrect to suggest that I am tutored witness, Chaki concludes..Witness Sunil Gujral to depose before Court now..I am a businessman. I moved to Calcutta in 1980 to establish my business and there I met Mr Akbar who was my neighbour, Gujral begins. Our wives and children, who were of the same age, started interacting with each other and slowly we became good family friends, Gujral.In early 1990s, I moved back to Delhi and in 2010 when Mr Akbar was starting Sunday Guardian, he asked me to assist him in the administrative side of the business of publishing, Gujral.I was the printer publisher of The Sunday Guardian for around three years, Gujral.I found Mr Akbar a perfect gentleman holding a good reputation in society and in the forum of journalism as an author, Gujral. When I met him, he was the editor of Sunday Magazine, Gujral.In my capacity as a neighbour, colleague and friend, I had never heard anything negative about him. I found him a very hardworking man, keeping long working hours and travelling for political stories, Gujral.His reputation in the society was impeccable, Gujral. I have seen and read the tweets and the publication by Ms Priya Ramani, Gujral.It was embarrassing for me and it tarnished the image of Mr Akbar, Gujral.It tarnished the image of Mr Akbar in my eyes and in the eyes of other people. A lot of people who are our friends, acquaintances and business associates started contacting me to understand and to know what was happening as it came as a surprise to most, Gujral..Priya Ramani’s counsel Senior Advocate Rebecca John to cross examine Sunil Gujral now.In Calcutta I know Mr Akbar in my personal capacity. My professional relationship with Mr Akbar started only in 2010, Gujral responds to a question to this effect.It is correct that Mr Akbar has property in Maharani Bagh which is close to my house, Gujral. I do not remember whether I extended a personal loan to Mr Akbar around 2016, Gujral.John: In his affidavit filed before Rajya Sabha election with Election Commission, he had declared that a loan of Rs 5 lakh from you. Gujral: I do not remember.Counsel for MJ Akbar, Senior Advocate objects to the question. Says content of a document cannot be put to the witness, the document pertained to another person and the document has not been executed by the witness himself. Judge: Objection to be decided at the time of the judgement.I have never had any interaction with Harender Baweja, Ghazala Wahab, Prerna Singh Bindra, Kadambari Wade etc, Gujral.I did not read any tweet or publication by the above named women about the allegations of sexual misconduct relating to Mr Akbar, Gujral.In my interaction with my friends, acquaintances and business associates, the allegations by other women were not brought to my knowledge, Gujral.It is incorrect to suggest that I am aware of several instances/allegations of sexual misconduct by Mr Akbar made by other women journalist but I have deliberately concealed the same, Gujral.It is incorrect to suggest that I was well aware of Mr Akbar’s reputation qua some of his female colleagues but I have deliberately and falsely stated that he had an impeccable reputation, Gujral.It is wrong to suggest that I have come to depose for Mr Akbar only because of my long standing personal, professional and financial relationship with him, Gujral.It is incorrect to suggest that I was well aware of Mr Akbar’s reputation qua some of his female colleagues but I have deliberately and falsely stated that he had an impeccable reputation, Gujral.It is wrong to suggest that I have come to depose for Mr Akbar only because of my long standing personal, professional and financial relationship with him, Gujral.It is incorrect to suggest that I am a false and tutored witness to fulfil the legal requirements, Gujral.Cross examination concludes. .Proceeding adjourned for the day. Matter to be taken up next on August 2..Bar & Bench is available on WhatsApp. For real-time updates on stories, Click here to subscribe to our WhatsApp.